Cromwell claimed black firefighters were subjected to unfair treatment by management after they launched a human rights complaint.

A 2013 settlement between Halifax Regional Municipality and the black firefighters did not include Cromwell. Two separate human rights complaints Cromwell and another firefighter previously filed were dropped and they were lumped in with the group complaint.

On Tuesday, Cromwell said he believes the “bogus” lawsuit was brought against him and others for the sole purpose of terminating his 13-year career with the Halifax Regional Fire Service and to undermine his human rights complaint.

Cromwell alleges the two ex-fire chiefs — whom he claims basically acted as proxies for the city itself — attempted to have him agree to their terms for closing out the lawsuit, a $250 settlement for his legal fees and a non-disclosure agreement.

“I’ve been trying, through my lawyer, to have this lawsuit closed out on my terms,” Cromwell said. “The city wanted me fired for many years because I was a troublemaker in their eyes raising issues pertaining to race.

“This was a deception there was never any intent to follow through with this lawsuit. It was used to identify and terminate me. It was an abuse of the judicial system, that’s what this is about.”

Cromwell plans to go to court to seek reimbursement of his legal fees.

Mosher and Thurber’s lawyer, Michelle Awad, would not comment on why her clients discontinued the lawsuit. Neither man has ever commented on the suit.

Mosher and Thurber filed their private defamation lawsuit in June 2010 against Cromwell and former fire investigator Wayne Chapdelaine, as well as investigator William Murphy, retired administrative captain Don Snider, Jennifer Williamson of Halifax, and Betty Raymond and her late husband Armando of Bear River.

Days later, on July 1, 2010, Cromwell was suspended with pay from the fire service after a critical email and anonymous comments were sent to the Coast, a weekly Halifax newspaper, relating to allegations about racism and mismanagement at the fire service.

Armando Raymond was never served with the lawsuit because he died in 2005. His wife lived in the U.S. but stayed in Bear River in the summer. On several occasions Cromwell had used Betty Raymond’s computer with her permission. The two were neighbours.

All of the other original defendants had previously agreed that the lawsuit against them could be dismissed without costs. The lawsuit has also been discontinued against Betty Raymond.

In 2011, an arbitrator upheld Cromwell’s firing. Cromwell does not have permanent employment.

“My life is changed,” Cromwell said. “I mean I use to have financial security, I no longer have that. I live a completely different existence.”